Sox extend RHP Elliott, pitching still on Skipper's mind

Published on February 10, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Amarillo ThunderHeads News Release


AMARILLO, TX -The Amarillo Sox Baseball Club announced today they have extended the contract of pitcher Matt Elliott, terms of the agreement weren't disclosed but the move potentially keeps the right-hander with the club through 2013.

The former Dixie State Red Stormer signed with Amarillo as an unrestricted free agent March 25, 2011, making his Sox debut on May 12, 2011 when he was named opening day starter by manager John Harris. This honor typically holds the age-long privilege of being the number one guy, on the pitching staff, who gets a new season underway but in this particular case it had much greater significance, marking the first-ever pitch thrown in Amarillo Sox history. Elliott started 19 games last year posting a record of 8-5 with a 5.31 ERA striking out 79 batters in 118.2 innings pitched. His eight-year professional career totals include an overall record of 25-25 with a 4.31 ERA to go along with an impressive 407 strikeouts, issuing only 195 walks, in 397.0 total innings of work.

Elliot, a Scottsdale, Arizona native, attended the Dixie State College of Utah where he was drafted in the 27th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002 MLB Amateur Draft, but did not sign. The 6'0 - 175 lb. right-handed pitcher was drafted again the following year by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round. Following a trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, he ascended quickly after stints in Missoula of the Pioneer rookie league in 2004, South Bend of the single-A Midwest League in 2005 and Lancaster of the high-A California League in 2006. Elliot was promoted to double-AA Tennessee of the Southern League in 2006, before being traded to Mobile in the same league, where he made his professional debut as a starter. Following his 2009 campaign with Visalia of the single-A California League, he was released and joined Schaumberg of the independent Northern League in 2010. Elliot finished 2010 with a 4-1 record to go with a 4.22 ERA in 24 appearances, including two starts.

Elliott joins the list of fellow pitchers Chad Povich, Ryan Mitchell, Justin Garcia, and Paul Montalbano returning from last year's staff to go along with recently acquired arms of LHP Trent Lare, RHP Robert Manuel, and RHP Nick DeBarr. Normally this is considered a slow-period for signing players in baseball but Sox manager John Harris continues to move quickly and swiftly to build a championship-caliber pitching staff in which he expects Elliott to be a big piece of the puzzle he has often referenced. "The American Association has a lot of outstanding players and particularly pitchers", Harris said. "The re-signing of Matt is another important piece of the puzzle we're putting together to bring a championship to Amarillo, that always has been and will continue to be our goal", Harris added. "We're excited to have Matt back with us and we have the same expectations for him as we do all of our pitchers, which is to give a chance to win games".

Opening Day is Friday, May 18 when the Sox welcome the Winnipeg Goldeyes of Manitoba, Canada for a three-game series that begins a ten-game season opening home stand. Join the Sox For "The March To A Million!" Season tickets are currently available for purchase in-person or over the phone by visiting the Amarillo Sox Executive Offices at 801 South Polk Street or by calling (806) 242-GOLD (4653). Game day tickets go on-sale May 1, 2012. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover accepted.

For more information about season and individual game tickets, game times, promotions, marketing opportunities, full game schedule, and everything else Sox Baseball, visit the "Official Website of the Amarillo Sox" by logging onto www.amarillosox.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Association Stories from February 10, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central